Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi is undertaking significant preparations to accommodate an anticipated surge in international passenger traffic during the 18th BRICS Leaders' Summit in 2026. The summit, scheduled for September 12-13 in the national capital, is expected to bring a substantial increase in international flight movements.
Pier C at Terminal 3 Now Operational
Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), the operator of IGIA, announced the progressive operationalisation of Pier C at Terminal 3 for international flight operations, beginning the night of September 9. Initially handling international arrivals, Pier C will manage both arrivals and departures from the evening of September 10.
Once fully operational, Pier C is projected to increase Delhi airport's annual international passenger handling capacity by 50 percent, reaching 31 million passengers per annum (MPPA). A pier is a crucial structure extending from the main terminal, facilitating aircraft access via aerobridges.
Dedicated Immigration and Enhanced Coordination
As part of its summit preparedness, the airport will implement dedicated immigration counters specifically for BRICS participants. Additionally, comprehensive arrangements have been made for aircraft landing and parking, anticipating the heightened volume of international flights.
DIAL has also strengthened its coordination mechanisms with various security and operational stakeholders to guarantee the seamless movement of both passengers and aircraft during the high-profile event.
Leadership Remarks and Overall Capacity
Pradeep Panicker, CEO of DIAL, emphasized that extensive preparedness measures have been enacted to manage the expected increase in international traffic while upholding safety, security, and passenger experience. Panicker stated, "The operationalisation of Pier C further strengthens our international handling capability at Terminal 3 and provides us with additional flexibility during this important global event."
IGIA, India's largest airport, manages over 1,300 flight movements daily. It comprises three terminals (T1, T2, and T3), with international operations currently concentrated at T3. The airport's overall annual passenger handling capacity stands at 106 million, distributed across T1 (42 million), T2 (14 million), and T3 (50 million). These enhanced facilities at T3 are expected to offer critical operational flexibility as Delhi hosts leaders and delegations from BRICS member countries.